The concept of ghosti was part of what clinched my membership in the ADF. There is a quick definition and description of the term available on the ADF site here in an article entitled Make Offerings Damnit! by Rev. Skip Ellison.
Ghosti describes the reciprocal relationship that is the goal of worship. By making regular offerings to the Kindreds we offer and invite them to a relationship of reciprocity and mutual support. I'd found this to be a rare attitude in the neopagan groups and individuals I'd come across. Admittedly many were likely of the light hearted type more interested in glamor spells and curses than a true spiritual path.
What bothered me about that is my firm conviction that deities are not point and click.You should not just pray or make an offering only you want something from Him/Her/Them nor should you ignore them unless you have a need for their intervention. At it's basic core it's rude. You don't call a friend only when you need help moving, need someone to watch your kids etc, at least, not if you're a good friend. At the least it's poor manners at the worst it's hubris.
Who am I to bother any of the Kindreds with a petty need or request and not be willing to offer anything to them for their trouble?
Still the downside of thinking like that is that there really isn't much I could offer the Kindreds that would equate to anything they can give me. So where would that leave me?
Ghosti clears this up (as the above article elucidates) by creating a relationship of reciprocity, what matters is that there is give and take, one side is not always giving while one side is always taking. It ties into the concept of hospitality. By making regular offerings to the Kindreds and requesting their attention I am creating a bond a relationship. Therefore, rather than calling on a random deity in a time of need out of desperation I will (ideally) be able to pour out my heart to the deity/ancestor/spirit that I already enjoy ghosti with and receive aid or succor in an honest manner.
I don't want a relationship with the Kindred because it's handy in times of need, or it's fun (though I hope it will be enjoyable) but for the bond of the relationship itself. I want to pray and be heard if not acknowledged, I want to offer and know the gesture is appreciated if not overtly acknowledged.
Ghosti describes the reciprocal relationship that is the goal of worship. By making regular offerings to the Kindreds we offer and invite them to a relationship of reciprocity and mutual support. I'd found this to be a rare attitude in the neopagan groups and individuals I'd come across. Admittedly many were likely of the light hearted type more interested in glamor spells and curses than a true spiritual path.
What bothered me about that is my firm conviction that deities are not point and click.You should not just pray or make an offering only you want something from Him/Her/Them nor should you ignore them unless you have a need for their intervention. At it's basic core it's rude. You don't call a friend only when you need help moving, need someone to watch your kids etc, at least, not if you're a good friend. At the least it's poor manners at the worst it's hubris.
Who am I to bother any of the Kindreds with a petty need or request and not be willing to offer anything to them for their trouble?
Still the downside of thinking like that is that there really isn't much I could offer the Kindreds that would equate to anything they can give me. So where would that leave me?
Ghosti clears this up (as the above article elucidates) by creating a relationship of reciprocity, what matters is that there is give and take, one side is not always giving while one side is always taking. It ties into the concept of hospitality. By making regular offerings to the Kindreds and requesting their attention I am creating a bond a relationship. Therefore, rather than calling on a random deity in a time of need out of desperation I will (ideally) be able to pour out my heart to the deity/ancestor/spirit that I already enjoy ghosti with and receive aid or succor in an honest manner.
I don't want a relationship with the Kindred because it's handy in times of need, or it's fun (though I hope it will be enjoyable) but for the bond of the relationship itself. I want to pray and be heard if not acknowledged, I want to offer and know the gesture is appreciated if not overtly acknowledged.
Interesting post and article! The reciprocal relationship between ourselves and others (divine and otherwise) is a core component of my practices as well- I like that the ADF has a term for this concept. How is ghosti pronounced?
ReplyDeleteIt's a linguistically reconstructed word, it's PIE (IIRC) and I believe it's pronounced as it appears but I'll see if I can track down a reference to confirm that. It's a great concept isn't it? :)
ReplyDeleteWell, I found this article http://www.adf.org/articles/identity/ghosti-cheer.html that seems to indicate Ghosti is pronounced as it appears. I also found this http://www.adf.org/articles/cosmology/sacrifice-ie-adf.html by Ceisiwr Serith which is an interesting expansion on the concept and sacrifice in general. Hope that helps!
ReplyDeleteThank you, very helpful!
ReplyDeleteNot a problem! :D
ReplyDelete